Paard aangevallen door een leeuw 1578

This engraving titled 'Horse Attacked by a Lion,' was created by Sebastiano di Re. The print shows a dramatic scene with a focus on dynamic lines and forms. Observe how the artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to create a sense of depth and volume. The composition centers on the entangled bodies of the horse and lion, rendered with meticulous detail. The texture of the animals' fur and musculature adds to the visual intensity and emphasizes the struggle. The print’s structure pits nature against nature. It visualizes the raw power and brutal realities of the natural world, reminding us of the classical sculptures of antiquity. The engraving technique, with its stark contrasts and intricate details, heightens the emotional impact and forces the viewer to confront the primal conflict between predator and prey. It questions established ideals of beauty and harmony. Ultimately, the artist utilizes these formal elements to create a powerful statement on survival and conflict, underscoring how art can engage with and destabilize our understanding of natural hierarchies.